GMS Falcon Update

6th Grade - Malynn Bacher and Noah George

7th Grade - Layla Gilbert and Cole Winemiller

8th Grade - Kelsey Weinert and Amelia Tucker

Staff Member - Ms. Martin

As stated in the student/guardian handbook, school fee payments should be made in the Middle School office during the first two weeks of school.

Unfortunately, GMS currently has over $23,000 in unpaid school fees among it's three grade levels. These fees are used to directly pay for supplies used in the classroom, this academic year. As you can imagine, when over 80% of what was budgeted for this year is unpaid, we are struggling greatly to provide the experiences we hope to. Our goal is to also not require teachers to buy supplies for students, as that is not fair to our professionals. We are not preventing your child from access to materials, however, the school has been forced to cut back in many other areas to guarantee them access as they deserve.

I want to also reiterate that the school fees at Graham are often considerably lower than surrounding schools. We are great stewards of our funds because we have no choice. School fee money cannot be used for anything other than consumable supplies for this school year either per Ohio Revised Code.

Moving forward we have to take measures to ensure collection. Students will miss out on the following due to outstanding fees balances:

- field trips

- promotion or graduation ceremonies in grade 5, 8, 12

The district will further consider options for collection of unpaid fees at a later time.

** If you need to set up a payment plan, please contact the GMS office at 937-663-5339 or you can email either Ms. Neves NevesH@grahamlocalschools.org or Mr. Guidera GuideraN@grahamlocalschools.org

Congratulations to our 8th grade Clark State Scholarship recipients: Niveah Jacks, Khloe Roberts, Arianna Shamblin, Sydney Ford, Logan Pitsinger, Silas Arms, Ashley Sallee, Haden Lehman, Madalynn Cantrell and Makayla Barnhart.

Upon completion of the program through high school they will be eligible for free tuition at Clark State College.

These students will be recognized in an upcoming induction ceremony at Clark State.

ALL 6th graders received Signs of Suicide education last week in ELA classes from our Behavioral Health partner agency, TCN. All students should have brought information home about an upcoming screening and information covered in the education. Please remember if you DO NOT want your child to participate in the depression screening to return the signature page to their teachers before 2/28. The screening is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 28th.

The DC Rock-a-thon was a smashing success with students raising a total of $7,623 in pledges for future trips.

During the night students enjoy time with their peers, play games, listen to music, and win raffle prizes!

On March 2, 2023 at 7pm, our middle school choirs and high school concert choir will be presenting a concert to celebrate Music in Our Schools month. The eighth grade choir members will speak about the meaning of music throughout the concert. These students will be joined by the elementary choir members on Saturday, March 4 at Pancake day to share some of their selections once again. We hope you can join us as we start the month of March with a musical bang!

Kona Ice will be back at GMS on Tuesday, February 28th! Don't forget you can also prepay online for your student to enjoy one at lunch! Students are of course welcome to bring cash as well. Costs for size options are $3, $4, $5. All profits from the Kona Ice events will be going towards our building PBIS initiatives.

For GMS students, this will mostly apply to those 8th graders planning to sign up to take American Sign Language at GHS this fall. This meeting will take place at Graham High School.

Miami Valley Sports Foundation is sponsoring a scratch tournament with $1,000 for first place in a scholarship. 1 in 4 other bowlers will also win cash prizes.

Who: Current USBC members in 8th grade or below

When: March 4th, 11am (check-in @ 10am)

Where: Poelking Lanes South (Centerville)

More Info: 937-435-3855

Paperwork is in the office with information about the Fall trip. We will not take payments without paperwork (K&K contract/permission slip, and GLS Responsibility contract). Payment is made to Graham Local Schools. Payment plan is as follows:

January 27 - $175

February 24 - $175

March 31 - $175

April 8 - $175

September 8 - Balance Due

February

Monday, February 20 - No School (Presidents' Day)

Tuesday, February 21 - GLS Board of Education Mtg 5:30

Wednesday, February 22 - PBIS Assembly 1:15

Wednesday, February 22 - FFA District Public Speaking at Fairbanks

Thursday, February 23 - Send home Q3 Interim Reports

Saturday, February 25 - FFA Judging Contest at ATI

Sunday, February 26 - Falconland Market open 1-3pm (GES)

Sunday, February 26 - Wrestling @ Junior High State Duals

Tuesday, February 28- Kona Ice @ lunch times

March

Wednesday, March 1 - AFNR General Livestock Judging @ Clark Co. Fairgrounds

Thursday, March 2 - MS Choir Concert

Friday, March 3 - Grade 6 Library Collab w/ Miss Lisa

Saturday, March 4 - FFA Judging Contest at Marysville

Saturday, March 4 - Recycling 10-noon

Tuesday, March 7 - P/T Conference #4 4:00-7:30pm

Tuesday, March 7 - GMS Showcase Night 6-7pm (commons)

Thursday, March 9- PBIS meeting 2:30-3:30

Thursday, March 9- Clark State induction ceremony @ 6:30

Sunday, March 12 - Falconland Market open 1-3pm (GES)

Tuesday, March 14 - AFNR Preschool presentation during intervention and small group 7th period

Wednesday, March 15 - FFA Indian Lake Judging Contest - All Day

Friday, March 17 - End Quarter 3

Friday, March 17 - District PD All day (No school)

Saturday, March 18 - Wrestling @ Junior High State Championships

Saturday, March 18 - Recycling 10-noon

Monday, March 20 - Begin Quarter 4

Monday, March 20 - GLS Board of Education Mtg 5:30

Thursday, March 23 - Q3 Report cards go home

Thursday, March 23 - DC Fundraiser Info in Homeroom to grades 6/7

Thursday, March 23- Kona Ice @ lunch time

Saturday, March 25 - FFA State Judging Contest at Columbus

Sunday, March 26- Falconland Market open 1-3pm (GES)

Monday, March 27 - Track & Field @ Ben Logan Tri Meet

Wednesday, March 29 - PBIS Assembly 1:15

Thursday, March 30- 5th grade Student tours

Friday, March 31 - HS Musical (Auditeria)

Vicki Packard-Cooper - Assistant Principal

Melissa Erter - School Counselor

Stacey Logwood - Student, Family, and Community Support Coordinator

Graham STEAM Middle School - "Ohio Department of Education STEM Designated"

Grades 6-8

Email: guideran@grahamlocalschools.org
Website: www.grahamlocalschools.org
Location: 9644 W US HWY 36 Saint Paris, Ohio 43072
Phone: 937-663-5339
Twitter: @grahammidschool